I've been looking at this thread for a few days, wondering whether to post because I don't think all of what I have to say will be particularly welcome.
My understanding of these issues come from being 36 when I went to seek help about my fertility issues and the research I did prior to this.
You are right about seeking help sooner than a year. The
NICE guidelines say people who have been trying for a year should be offered investigative bloods and a semen analysis, but
where a woman is over 35 this should be offered sooner. It is worth reading and understanding the NICE guidelines, but be aware that these are a gold standard and not all PCTs will offer everything recommended. There would be no harm in going to your GP or FP nurse now, but the advice they are likely to give you is that documented here on smoking, alcohol, weight reduction etc. It doesn't specifically say 6 months, but that is the generally accepted interpretation of sooner.
My understanding is that you should not be denied this on the NHS, even if you are over 40. The problem is where do you go after that. If your bloods and SA are normal, the normal advice would be to go away for another 6 months at least to try further. If they are abnormal, you would be referred to a fertility specialist, but the literature is not clear what if any further investigations or treatment might be offered to a woman over 40 in your area.
The
Notts County Assisted Conception Policy is the only relevant policy I could find on the Internet, which shows that you would be ineligible for stimulated procedures such as IUI and you are right, a separate document also says for IVF. But whether they will perform the rest of the investigations as necessary on the NHS or provide simple treatment such as tablets to stimulate ovulation if required is not clear. My suspicion is that they would, but you might have to go armed with a knowledge of the NICE guidelines and argue a bit.
My experience at 36/37 was that the NHS were willing to fully investigate, but when it was recommended that we needed IUI, this wasn't available (my PCT doesn't fund IUI at all) and I was already above the cut off age for IVF in my area. We went to the private sector for IUI and IVF as this was our only option over and above continuing to try naturally and hoping.
My advice to you is it is still early days and you may well fall naturally. But after the 6 months, don't delay in being investigated and seeking specialist advice. If you can afford private treatment, go get checked now.
If you want any info on my experience, please ask.
I really hope you get your BFP soon and wish you the best of luck xxx